MDL Cadet Nationals at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 3

Race 6

Day three saw the racing postponed until midday for the wind to fill in. The race officer got the fleet off first time into a northwesterly force three. Within about three minutes of the start the fleet were called back as the wind had shifted ninety degrees. The windward mark was re-laid and the race re-started, with ten boats over the line. The first beat favoured middle left and saw Adam Richards leading ‘Black Otter’ Andrew Mackay/Jonathon Kimber, Thomas Makey, ‘Wave Slayer’ Aaron Cooper/Rebecca Hopwood, and James Wade. By the leeward mark the first four remained the same. Oliver Gray was fifth and James Wade sixth. The windward mark had been re-laid hard to starboard. The lead boats chose to go up the centre with most following. There were significant gains by the few tail boats that went right. Most noticeable was ‘Impulse’ Charlotte/Adrian Clay who went from the mid forties to fifteenth. At the mark the leading six boats had maintained station. With the wind dropping the race was shortened. The leading boats had bunched together and Thomas Makey just pipped Adam Richards to take the gun. Third was Aaron Cooper followed by Andrew Mackay.

Race 7

The wind had strengthened to a force four for the second race. With many boats over at the first start the second start saw sixteen boats caught by the black flag and a general re-call. At the third attempt the fleet were underway with one more boat caught by the black flag. Oliver Gray led Robbie Allam at the windward mark with James Wade, Adam Richards, ‘Tantrum’ Jodie Green/Daniel Stone, and ‘She Who Dares’ Gemma Green/Jenny Sudell. At the leeward mark James and Robbie had swapped places, Adam was fourth, Thomas Makey fifth and Guy Brearey sixth. After the first sausage Jodie Green rounded fourth with Guy Brearey fifth. Jodie hit the mark and was overtaken doing her penalty turn. The same order was maintained for the next sausage and with the wind strengthening the last beat was crucial. Oliver Gray took the gun in front of James Wade and Adam Richards who ended up separated by about a foot at the line. Robie Allam was fourth just ahead of Jodie Green. Exhausted cadets look forward to the lay day tomorrow.